Shoppers with a strict sugar-free requirement
You’re looking for a topping that meets the requirements for a ‘sugar-free’ claim. To check this, look at the sugars per 100 g, not just phrases such as ‘less sugar’ or ‘no added sugars’.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Christmas market or festive breakfast organisers
You want to use crushed aniseed sprinkles as a topping for bread, crispbread or a festive dish. If you’re serving guests, the ingredients and allergens listed on the packaging matter too.
Shoppers comparing sweet bread toppings
You’re open to a different type of product and compare the nutritional information per 100 g. Bear in mind that, for example, jam tastes different and can’t be sprinkled like crushed aniseed sprinkles.
What should you look for when buying?
According to the European Union, the ‘sugar-free’ nutrition claim can only be used for a solid product if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. For a Christmas market or festive breakfast, also consider whether traditional toppings or your guests’ dietary needs will affect your choice.
Traditional crushed aniseed sprinkles
Choose these: if you want an aniseed flavour and a sprinklable topping, and sugar-free isn’t a requirement.
The trade-off: WorldwideHolland lists De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes as containing 79 g of sugars per 100 g.
Other sweet bread toppings
Choose these: if you’re happy to opt for a different flavour and product type while looking for a suitable sugar content.
The trade-off: ‘No added sugars’ doesn’t automatically mean sugar-free. Albert Heijn lists Hero Jam Zero Aardbeien as containing 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free requirement | Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and compare it with the EU limit of no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. ‘No added sugars’ is a different claim. | If I only want to serve sugar-free toppings, the label needs to support that choice; around 40% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Aniseed flavour and use | Check whether you’re looking for crushed aniseed sprinkles as a sprinklable topping, and how much you’ll need for your dish. | For a festive breakfast, I want to keep the aniseed flavour and sprinklable texture, even if that means it isn’t a sugar-free choice; around 30% of consumers prioritise this use. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and the allergens shown, especially if guests need to avoid milk or wheat. | When serving guests with dietary restrictions, I want to know what’s in the topping before using it; around 30% of consumers prioritise this check. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing ‘less sugar’ with ‘sugar-free’
A product with no added sugars can still contain sugars. According to the European Union, the limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim on a solid product is no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on the packaging rather than relying on the wording on the front.
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Assuming another bread topping is an identical substitute
Jam doesn’t have the aniseed flavour or sprinklable texture of crushed aniseed sprinkles. That difference matters if you want to finish a dish with the same kind of topping.
Before choosing an alternative, decide whether the product’s texture and form matter as much to your dish as the nutritional information.
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Assuming allergens from the product name
The ingredients for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes listed by WorldwideHolland include wheat starch and a flavouring containing milk; you wouldn’t know this from the name alone.
Before serving, check the current packaging and the allergens listed on it, especially if guests need to avoid certain ingredients.
Relevant brands and retailers
De Ruijter
De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes are the traditional, sprinklable aniseed option in this comparison.
- The 270 g pack is listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo.
- WorldwideHolland lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g and ingredients containing wheat and milk. Check the current packaging before buying or serving the product.
Hero
Hero Jam Zero Aardbeien is a different type of sweet bread topping, not crushed aniseed sprinkles.
- Albert Heijn lists this product as jam with no added sugars.
- Albert Heijn also lists 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g. This means the jam doesn’t meet the EU limit for ‘sugar-free’, and it doesn’t have the texture or aniseed flavour of crushed aniseed sprinkles.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn is relevant here as a retailer offering product information on crushed aniseed sprinkles and other types of sweet toppings.
- Its range also includes toppings described as ‘less sugar’.
- That wording doesn’t mean a product is sugar-free; compare the nutritional information for the product you choose.
Related products at Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
When can a bread topping be called sugar-free?
According to the European Union, the ‘sugar-free’ nutrition claim can only be used for a solid bread topping if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on the label.
Are De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes sugar-free?
The variety for which WorldwideHolland lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g doesn’t meet the EU limit of no more than 0.5 g per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. Check the current nutritional information on the packaging before buying.
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?
No. Albert Heijn lists Hero Jam Zero Aardbeien as having both ‘no added sugars’ and 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g. That’s above the EU limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.
What should I check when serving crushed aniseed sprinkles to guests?
Check the current ingredients and allergens on the packaging. For De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes, WorldwideHolland lists wheat starch and a flavouring containing milk, among other ingredients, but product information can change.